Dim Sum Dining: The Haute 5 Chinese Restaurants in New York

To many, the thought of Chinese food may conjure images of greasy takeout, splintery chopsticks, and less than health-savvy ingredients. If that is the case for you, you haven’t tried any of the restaurants on our list. The restaurants below offer exciting dishes made of mouthwatering ingredients and served in impeccable style. In fact, many of them have helped redefine Chinese food as some of the hautest fare around.

Mr. Chow
When Michael Chow opened his first restaurant in New York on 57th Street in 1979, the Studio 54 crowd flocked there for the food. Today, Mr. Chow’s remains a celebrity scene and diners will likely find themselves seated next to high profile fans like Tom Cruise, Robert DeNiro, and Madonna. Michael Chow, who was born in China and raised in England, has created a menu that bridges the East and the West. He also redefined upscale Chinese food by introducing Beijing cuisine (formerly the food of emperors) and mixing that with Shanghai influences as well. Chow opened a second New York location in Tribeca a few years ago. The hip downtown location features the art of Andy Warhol and Julian Schnabel. World renowned, award winner Executive Chef Li Hong oversees the menu, which includes popular dishes like Chicken Sate, Beijing Duck, and Ma Mignon.

Mr. Chow’s is located at 324 E. 57th St., (212) 751-9030 and at 121 Hudson St. in Tribeca, (212) 965-9500.

Shun Lee
Shun Lee has three locations: Shun Lee Palace on the East Side, Shun Lee West by the Lincoln Center, and Shun Lee Café, which is located next to Shun Lee West. Michael Tong’s restaurants ooze elegance. The staff is courteous and helpful, the ambience is classic, and the food is delicious and reflective of a number of regional influences. According to Zagat, a visit to Shun Lee Palace will leave diners “spoiled forever after.” With its proximity to the theater district, Shun Lee West is a convenient spot to dine before or after a play. Patrons can stop by the adjacent Shun Lee Café to try the extensive dim sum menu (over 60 kinds) in a more casual setting.

Shun Lee Palace is located at 155 E. 55th St., (212) 769-3888 and Shun Lee West is located at 43 W. 65th St., (212) 595-8895.

Mr. K’s Restaurant
Mr. K’s comprehensive menu is based on a vast array of regional influences. Diners can choose from an array of Cantonese, Peking, Shanghai, Hunan, and Szechwan dishes. No detail in the preparation of Mr. K’s food is overlooked from choosing the best seasonal ingredients, to serving plates with an elegant presentation. The restaurant is also known for its tea and coffee (both brewed from secret recipes). The pleasing Art Deco space is located in a landmark building in Midtown East.

Mr. K’s is located at 570 Lexington Ave., (212) 583-1668.

Chin Chin
Chin Chin is another New York staple for high-end Chinese food. The over 20-year-old restaurant’s famous (and widely praised) Grand Marnier Shrimp is not to be missed. Other popular dishes include the tea-smoked duck, minced squab in lettuce wrap, and crisped orange beef. Chin Chin is also a lunchtime destination, known for its three-course prix fixe option and power room clientele. The restaurant started serving a dim sum lunch on weekends as well.

Chin Chin is located at 216 E. 49th St., (212) 888-4555.

Oriental Garden
Ask anyone where to get the best Chinese seafood in the city, and you will likely hear the name Oriental Garden. Zagat, Michelin, The New York Times, and New York Magazine all agree that Oriental Garden is the place to eat in Chinatown. The seafood is among the freshest in the city, and dinner is plucked straight from the restaurant’s fish tanks. The braised abalone with oyster sauce is one favorite on the Cantonese menu. Oriental Garden is more casual than the others on this list and diners shouldn’t expect the level of service offered by the others either. However, New Yorkers in the know continue to eat at Oriental Garden because the food is just so good.

Oriental Garden is located at 14 Elizabeth St., (212) 619-0085.